Oakland signed free agent linebacker Kaluka Maiava to a $6 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, as well as defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter.

Maiava, 26, started 13 games last season for Cleveland with 30 solo tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed.

The 5-foot-11, 229-pound Maiava has played 50 games over four seasons with the Browns after being a fourth-round pick out of Southern California. There, he was a member of a Trojans linebacker core that also had NFL-ers Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga.

Sims played eight games last season for Cincinnati after coming back from a hamstring injury. Hunter, who was with Denver for three seasons, sat out last year with a triceps injury.

“We’re excited to add three veterans through free agency, helping to create depth and competition on defense,” said general manager Reggie McKenzie, who took chances on players coming off injury last year as well. “We’ll continue to add free agents as the opportunity surfaces.”

The need has definitely surfaced after Oakland released defensive back Michael Huff and lost free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler to Miami and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant to Cleveland on Tuesday. The Raiders have only four returning defensive starters under contract in safety Tyvon Branch, linebacker Miles Burris and defensive linemen Lamarr Houston and Tommy Kelly – but Kelly said he is going to be released soon, Maiava, Sims and Hunter could all start for the Raiders, with Maiava expected to replace Wheeler at outside linebacker.

Sims is known primarily as a run stopper. He had 12 solo tackles and one interception as a reserve. He has five sacks in 60 career games, and he could play nose tackle if the Raiders change to a 3-4 defensive set from a 4-3.

Hunter had the inside track at landing with the Raiders, as he has a history with both McKenzie and Allen. He played the first three years of his career in Green Bay where McKenzie worked in the front office. He then played in Denver in 2011 when Allen was defensive coordinator.

Hunter has 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 88 career games with Green Bay, Detroit and Denver.

The Raiders also re-signed defensive back and kick returner Coye Francies to a one-year, $630,000 deal after letting him become a free agent when they didn’t tender him a contract.